Podgorica, Montenegro (3 October 2017) — Prime Minister Duško Marković said earlier today while making a guest appearance on Radio of Montenegro’s talk-show “Responsible Response” /Odgovoran Odgovor/ that the Government has successfully completed integration into NATO in the past ten months, that Montenegro is making a strong progress towards EU membership and that the Government has successfully consolidated finances, that revenues have been generated above the plan, while budget expenditures have been reduced, stressing that savings measures have not compromised new investment and development…

Podgorica, Montenegro (3 October 2017) — Prime Minister Duško Marković said earlier today while making a guest appearance on Radio of Montenegro’s talk-show “Responsible Response” /Odgovoran Odgovor/ that the Government has successfully completed integration into NATO in the past ten months, that Montenegro is making a strong progress towards EU membership and that the Government has successfully consolidated finances, that revenues have been generated above the plan, while budget expenditures have been reduced, stressing that savings measures have not compromised new investment and development.

“We have contacts with domestic and foreign business community on a daily basis, we visit construction sites – the opposition asks me why I visit construction sites – these sites are financed from the capital budget I am responsible for, that is the money that goes to the infrastructure and I am obliged to monitor how much money is spent on these construction sites, because it creates a new value,” said the Prime Minister.

He added that Montenegro’s economy grew by 3.2% in Q1 and 5.1% in Q2, which is among the largest in Europe.

“In parallel, we developed very good communication with the international financial markets. International Monetary Fund issued a report 15 days ago stating that Montenegro is well managing its finances and economy, and for the first time it is stated that the motorway is not a risk to our economy,” DPM Marković emphasised.

He pointed out that the World Bank is looking at encouraging reforms and he is hopeful that Montenegro will receive direct budget support from the World Bank.

“In the meantime, the Moody’s affirmed Montenegro’s B1 rating and changed outlook to stable from negative. Do you know what message this is sending to financial international market and investors? Furthermore, the World Economic Forum ranked Monenegro 77th in terms of competitiveness compared to last year’s 82nd or 83th place,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the employment rate is also growing.

Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded speaking about economic issues by saying that the Government’s results are excellent, but that this is only the beginning, hopeful that Montenegro will have the budget surplus by the end of 2020.

Opposition’s boycott is undemocratic and irrational

The Prime Minister spoke about the dialogue with the opposition, saying that last year’s elections were free, democratic and fair, that they allowed free expression of citizens, and that such an assessment was also expressed by international observers, and that concerning the fact that both the Parliament and the Government operate, the opposition’s decision not to recognise the outcome of the elections is irrational and undemocratic. Prime Minister Marković added that he does not consider it desirable that the opposition is out of parliament, that it is in the government’s interest that the opposition is in the parliament, and that the Democratic Party of Socialists will soon come up with a proposal towards establishing dialogue.

There will be no more negotiations on borders with Kosovo, relations with Croatia are excellent

Answering the question regarding the borders with Kosovo and Croatia, the Prime Minister said that Montenegro understands the situation and challenges in Kosovo, but that the border has been defined, that it was negotiated from 2012 to 2015, that both countries signed the agreement with all the accompanying documents and that the border can no longer be negotiated.

The dispute over the part of the sea border with Croatia does not in any way disturb the relations between the two countries, the Prime Minister added, noting that Croatia supports European integration of Montenegro, that it supported the country’s accession to NATO, that relations are excellent, that the Interim Agreement works and that he believes that both Montenegro and Croatia will have a democratic capacity to resolve this issue.

Airports are not going to be sold, but valorised

Answering the question about the Montenegrin airports, Prime Minister Duško Marković said that the Government does not intend to sell airports and that such rumors are being spread by those who want panic and disorder in society and those who want to maintain their privileges based on the current position.

“Airports cannot be sold, nor do we intend to sell them, but one thing is clear: airports need t0 be valorised. Because airports do not exist for themselves. And they do not exist because of their profits and rent, but because of the Montenegrin economy. Our tourism is developing strongly, we have serious ambitions to raise tourism to a higher level, to bring our economy to a much higher level and the entire infrastructure must follow this strategic interest. We cannot conserve the airports in any way just because it is thought by a party. Therefore, the airports will be valorised, we will do everything to contribute to the development of our economy and our tourism industry. This will be discussed by the Government, in a transparent manner and according to the procedures,” said Prime Minister Duško Marković while making a guest appearance on Radio of Montenegro.